Saturday, April 2, 2011

an award to share

I've been blogging for about eight months now and loving it.  I'm not a professional writer, and don't pretend to be.  I write because it's fun, and I can share my thoughts with my family and friends.  In the past 8 months I have seen my circle of friends growing, and found a sense of community in the blogging arena that I didn't know existed.  It's fun and exciting to share thoughts and ideas!

Imagine my surprise when Hajra from Hajra Kvetches sent me a comment on a post telling me she was sharing the Versatile Blogger Award she had received with me.  It is a unique award, shared from one blogger to another for no other reason than that you like the blog.  I've checked out a few of the recipients, and it is quite a diverse collection of blogs.

 The catch is that I have to share this with 7 bloggers, and tell 7 things about myself.  Rather than rattle on I am just going to jump in with the stuff about me.  Brace yourselves; this is stuff I don't normally share. 


1. I am obsessive at times.  That is bad.  I have learned over the years to recognize it and can control the obsessiveness before it takes over my whole being.  Case in point: I had this cute little twirly globe rotating on my blog, showing where my readers were located, along with a stat counter.  One day I realized I was checking that little globe and stat counter way too often, to the point of sneaking into the bathroom at work with my iPhone to check it.  So I deleted them. 

2. I love my four grandkids more than my own life.  Seriously, I was reborn when they arrived.

3. I am a procrastinator of the first water.  I put other procrastinators to shame.  I have come within a hair of causing my husband to have heart failure because of my procrastination.  Example: I've been working on my income taxes for over a week.  In fact I should be finishing them up right now instead of typing this.

4. I keep my desk very neat and am totally organized at work.  At home?  Well we don't call the computer room the Wreck Room for no reason.  I don't iron.  If it can't be fluffed and worn straight out of the dryer, I don't own it.  We also eat our groceries straight from the bag because I don't cook. 

5. I am a good listener.  One day my sister was visiting and saw me listening to a woman in Wal Mart tell me her whole legal history and problems.  She asked who the woman was when she left.  I had no idea, I'd never seen the woman before.  Maybe that is why I work in mental health.  Good listening is a must.

6. I am a speed reader.  I comprehend most of what I read.  Sure helps since I follow 50+ blogs.

7. I have a dark side no one knows about.  Not one single living person.

Now for the bloggers that make life so interesting, and who've taught me so much:

1. Jerene Dunn (@JereneD on Twitter) at Jerened's Blog ...the first blog I ever read...

2. Josie at Josie Speaks Up... ...and she sure does, on her life and lessons she's learned...

3. Karen at A Blog Day Afternoon ...she has a keen sense of observation, and humor too

4. Eileen at Ferocious Introvert ...for the artist in me, this blog is sheer heaven to read

5. LaRae Lobdell (@laraelobdell on Twitter) at Photosister ...a professional photographer, dedicated to photo sisters all over

6. Kathy at One Day You're Making Pizza ...her style is adult and honest, as she examines her life

7. Mary at The Adventures of Cilgin Kiz ...her tongue-in-cheek look at traveling, with some beautiful photography

Those are my picks, and it wasn't easy.  There are so many excellent blogs out there, that I sometimes find myself intimidated.  But we all come to the community for a reason, and those reasons are as varied as the blogs we all write.  I hope you will give all these blogs a look, and if you enjoy any of them, leave a comment.  No one wants to write into a void. 

And for you bloggers, consider disabling that annoying little security word.  There is nothing to fear from spam, and to be honest, since I disabled mine, I haven't had any problems.  It makes it so much easier for the commenters.  Try it.  You'll like it.

Thanks to Hajra for sharing this award with me.  It's the first one I have received, and I appreciate that she thought of me. 

Happy Reading and Blogging! 
~cath
follow me on Twitter- @jonesbabie

20 comments:

  1. Thanks Cath! I'm really honored you picked me :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh wow Cath! I am honored! Thank You!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on your award, Cathy! I love your writing and I always enjoy visiting here and catching glimpses of your world. Interesting facts about yourself, especially #7! Congrats also to your picks, I only know one of them and I look forward to checking out the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Now we ALL know you have a dark side.. Darth Vader would be proud. ;o). You deserve awards for your writing. You make me laugh out loud as well as think deeply. Keep it up, PLEASE.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Kathy: your blog is honest and revealing, a brave thing to do...you are much braver than I am... xo

    @Jerene I have loved your blog from the first time I read it and discovered what a blog was! and what is possible through them...

    @SJ I love reading your blog too and I really enjoyed reading your 7's when you got the award...bravo!

    @Dawn besides my sister vix you are probably my biggest fan (oh and mum too...but she never comments) :D I love you for the encouragement you give me Dawn, you amazing woman...(PS...I sleep with Darth Vader yanno) :D

    And funny that you 4 women commented first...you are some of the strongest, most intelligent women I know, and I appreciate all that you have taught me about this blogger's life... xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ooh squeals of delight! Thanks! All the best people are procrastinators, you know. I have been know to vacuum the house instead of marking essays, or writing essays.
    AND, all the best people avoid cooking too- I sometimes go on a diet just to avoid cooking, or shopping for groceries. . . or sometimes I do marking to avoid cooking. . .
    Josie x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Cath, I am truly honoured.I just woke up and read your post. I am relatively new to all this and have just been amusing myself I did not expect this. A great start to my day. I look forward to reading the other blogs.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Josie: glad to know I am in such good company...now that I just spent a week doing taxes that should have taken a day, I don't know what to do with myself, but I am sure I'll find something... :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Mary: I look forward to your picks for blogs too...
    I spend a lot of time linking from blog to blog, and also clicking on the profiles of people who comment (see how important commenting can be!) and that is how I found your blog, and what a jewel it is. Since I will probably never travel as you do, my only chance is to do it vicariously..through blogs...and I cook vicariously through the food blogs I follow too! :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your blog. It's the only one I read on a regular basis.

    ReplyDelete
  11. @Maria...time's a wastin girl! Just jump in, there's a million of us in the community, and I spend more time supporting other bloggers than I do writing :D xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. @PCN (Julie): I read yours too, and can't wait to try that junk journal along with the paper beads with the grandkids! And keep up the journaling! xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cath,
    I feel honored that I made your list - thanks for thinking of me. And I love seeing your juicy paintings! Your prolific blogging and creating is inspiring.

    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  14. As always sissy I enjoy reading your blog but was very excited for you when I read this! Of course know what a wonderful and talented sister I have, but you see, others appreciate your talents too! Love you, have a great day with the grands, mine will be here soon! And please keep your dark side to yourself, lol...I prefer thinking of you as perfect! 8-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. @Eileen: your work inspires me every time I read a post! Thanks for creating it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @Anon: thanks sissy for your support all these years...and don't worry, my dark side wouldn't be dark if I brought it out into the light, so it's staying right where it is...hidden :D
    xo my heart

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats! Welcome to the club : )

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Janine! It's a fun place to be! :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am visiting your blog after so long (sorry about that!) Isn't it just the best feeling to receive this award...someone is listening to us!
    I loved your random seven...off to check out your favorite seven bloggers!
    P.S. you work in mental health..that's news for me! Myabe that's why we find it easy to connect! Keep Blogging!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Hajra!
    It's the first award I received EVER (except my Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow award) and I just LOVE it...I visit my own blog just to see it on the page. :D And I have YOU to thank for thinking of me and honoring me with it...

    and yes, I agree, working in mental health somehow makes it easier to connect with others...humanity is our common bond.
    xo and thanks Hajra! You are AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete